YOUNGSTOWN - The City of Youngstown has just one month to decide the future of the city's ambulance service.

Youngstown's contract with AMR expires at the end of the year and it's unknown if the city will find another service by then.

A final town hall meeting on Wednesday brought in city officials as AMR more than doubles their asking price to stay with the city.

"I've not been this angry since my 5 years of being Mayor as I am about this situation," said Mayor Tito Brown. 

The town hall room was packed with council members, firefighters, and city officials as the clock is ticking for The City of Youngstown to work out an agreement with AMR ambulance services.

"I recently talked to the Mayors of Struthers and Lowellville and I asked them what do you do if you don't have EMS," said Mayor Brown. "And they said they pray like God will send someone else. That can't be the answer for me in the City of Youngstown."

The city originally not wanting to pay AMR an additional subsidy of $750,000. Now, Youngstown Law Director Jeff Limbian says AMR is requesting a $2.6 million dollar annual subsidy to continue service. The city now has its hands tied as AMR is the only company showing any interest in working with Youngstown.

"They look at this as another opportunity to take you all and hold you hostage to the City of Youngstown, me included," Brown said. "They decided, they're citizens, they really want us and for that, that price is going to have to double."

"When I'm hurt, when I'm sick, we need to know someone is there," said Nikki Posterli, Chief of Staff for the City of Youngstown. "That's all we're asking for. That's all your asking for and this is what we're faced with every day."

Brown says he doesn't believe in subsidizing for-profit companies, saying AMR is still making a reasonable profit. Limbian says ARP funds could be used to fund this subsidy, but that money isn't renewable. Mayor Brown ruled out the city creating it's own ambulance service, as it's too costly.

Each ambulance would cost about $1.8 million and the city would need a minimum of four. Staffing the department would also be cause for concern. 

AMR reps were invited to all three community sessions and did not attend.